World War I: Battle Of Verdun 2/4

One of the bloodiest battles in history, the fighting at Verdun continues throughout the year 1916. French and German forces suffer over 700,000 casualties.

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[shadysoldier84]

WWI is a great example of how fuckin stupid political leaders are

[22grena]

@Anekantavad True.Verdun was WW1's Stalingrad. Even up to the First World War the French were known internationally as the nation with the most illustious military past Nobody understimated them. Napoleon was an icon for generations of soldiers and military academys. Thats why the highest German military decoration until the First World War was the Pour le Mérite. The French Adrian helmet was used by many nations.

[zXSasoriXz]

@shadysoldier84 What the fuck are you talking about its not that the political leaders are stupid but that the masses are stupid enough to do as they are told.

[shadysoldier84]

@GregoryTheGr8ster well said

[Digmen1]

@SinerAthin

They tired to do a quick war in August 1914.

But they got bogged down by trench warfare.

Shit happens

[darkshark171]

@DukeofColumbia No the massive mutinies we're in the aftermath of the battle of Verdun. so very late 1916 till mid 1917. the mutinies started after the many failed offensives of Robert Nivelle. that's why petain took over, he was very popular among the normal foot soldiers.

[GregoryTheGr8ster]

@shadysoldier84 - Yes, and it's an example of why we should not grant such power and authority to political leaders -- even if they seem to be compassionate and intelligent. The political system causes virtuous people to become stupid, even cruel.

[DenverYellowStone]

@22grena I agree. However the Pour le Merite originated from the kingdom of prussia and as in many european courts the noble language was France so the prussian military decoration became received a french name. So its not because of the illustious military past of France. Germans or Prussians created very sufficient military theories which were adapted by the Wehrmacht later and are today in use with probably every modern Army. Also the Stahlhelm is the model for the modern combat helmet.

[neverfearchrisishere]

@DukeofColumbia the 'mass mutinies' largely didn't happen. desertion and mutiny rates for all sides in the war were fairly consistently 0.7-1% throughout the war with the exception of disasters like Gallipoli. These were mostly men refusing to fight (and being shot for mutiny) or slipping across into enemy territory and surrendering before major battles began,as was mentioned many german troops did this in advance of the Verdun offensive,completely ruining any element of suprise

[DukeofColumbia]

Wasn't Verdun when the mass mutinies of the French armies occurred (or were said mutinies at the Battle of the Somme?

[MrVonnoobie]

@kafroflol Actually the allies had there own issues, By that time British were worn out, the French were so shocked they refused to attack, The only nations with any success was Australia, Canada and New Zealand, And there most reliable General was an Aussie, General Sir John Monash. Actually so great that was said that had the war lasted into 1919 he would have become the Commander of all Allied Units on the Western front.